350 Crate V8: 1973 Chevrolet Nova SS Project
Chevrolet found huge success with their Chevy II/Nova from 1962 to 1979. The car’s most successful sales period was from 1968 to 1974 and that’s the period from which the Super Sport is most often cloned. From all indications, this ’73 Nova SS is the real deal that has an unused crate motor under the hood. But the original 350 cubic inch V8 is also available. This car was in a front-end collision many years ago, although we’re told it was last running in 2022. Located in Howard Beach, New York, this father-and-son project Chevy is available here on eBay where the bidding will have to exceed $4,350 to crack the reserve.
The Nova received a restyle in 1973 to accommodate bigger bumpers that were being federally mandated in 1973-74. And to be able to incorporate the new hatchback body style that was added (which includes the seller’s car). The changes would result in a near sales record that year at nearly 370,000 units, which included 35,000 Super Sports. The SS had the L48 350 cubic inch V8 engine as an option, which was installed in about half of those cars. We assume that was in the seller’s machine before a crate 350 was added that’s never been run.
As the story goes, this black Nova has been in the same family for 45 years. It was in service until 1987-88 when the vehicle found itself involved in a frontal traffic accident. After that, the timeline gets a little sketchy in the seller’s description. A new engine was installed, but we don’t know when and it has no miles on it. The cleanliness of the engine compartment suggests that wasn’t anytime in the recent past. Although not pictured, the numbers-matching 350 will go with the sale, if the buyer wants it.
The Chevrolet was once Light Poly Blue in color, but that was changed and needs attention yet again. Some of the photos show the car up on jack-stands while others don’t, so we don’t know if the mismatched wheels and tires are touching the ground now. The interior looks good compared to the rest of the Chevy, so perhaps just a good cleaning is all that may be needed there. You’ll probably have to find all or part of a new front clip to replace this one and the rear bumper looks bent as well. It may boil down to do you buy this car to completely restore it or opt to pull the new engine and put it into another Chevy.
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Comments
The VIN indicates the car was delivered with the 175 HP L48.
It’s been a long time but the seats don’t look GM. financembinc.com leather upholstery if so not OE.
Hi my name is Ray I was looking at your Nova and how much are you willing to take for it. It will be not East to get parts. But that’s ok I know a few places to get parts, I just want to fix it up so.i can had a daily driver.
A lot depends on how hard the car was hit. If the front subframe and core supports were unscathed, and we’re only looking at sheet metal replacement, that’s one thing, but if the core support, front subframe or side supports were damaged, then that’s a whole different level of hurt. I won’t say that deep structural damage couldn’t be repaired, that’s not true, but as to whether it’s worth it, that assessment is beyond the area of my competence. Almost anything can be repaired if you have enough time and money, the question is, what will the car be worth when you are done, and will you spend more than that to repair it? The hatchback has fallen out of favor in America, and was fairly rare when this car was new (most coupes, and almost all of the sedans had conventional trunks), so does that make the car more or less valuable? I have a soft spot in my heart for the underdog, and this hatchback Nova certainly qualifies!
The amount of rust that has attacked the body is also a concern, given its NY residency for a good portion of its life. How much additional damage is in the rest of the car may determine if this becomes a phoenix that rises from the ashes, or a parts donor that sacrifices itself so that others may live. Aftermarket front subframes are available as bolt-in parts that promise lower weight and higher rigidity than the stock subframe, at a significant cost. Replacement bodies for the first generation Chevy II/Nova (1966-67) are also available from Dynacorn International, but they haven’t gotten around to making the later generations yet, so quality new sheet metal that isn’t cheap Asian copies of OEM parts is getting much harder to find. Even used sheet metal from the junkyard is very rare now, as most of these have already been crushed and shipped to Japan to be turned into new Toyotas, LOL!
I wonder if it would go down the road straight now?
I do have a soft spot for muscle cars and do want to see as many as possible saved and returned back to the road! This nova, if a true SS deserves the right to be restored, but will be more of a restoration to preserve the car than possibly making money from the project itself. I always preferred the body styles through 1972, after that year really did not care for the change. However, each to their own. Take care.
I really hope someone can save this car giving the fact that they are very few of them left in the world because people really didn’t appreciate the body change after 72. I didn’t like them as a younger man but as I got older I grew to appreciate him a lot more and really wish my circumstances were in the position right now that I could buy it and restore it because I hate seeing the drivetrain pulled out for something else. Understand if something like that happens but doesn’t make me feel any better.
Wrong year…Wrecked and Rusty…
No thanks…
@ least a `74?
Money pit
Who ever gets this car, I’ve got 73 parts car that I got to steal the trunk pan. Good front sheet metal and front subframe. Originally a 6 cyl. car. Free to whoever wants it. In South Carolina.
(Not sure I know how to achieve a person to person conversation on here.)
I’ll come down and get it if I buy this. Drop me a line.
I don’t know where to begin. My first car 73 Nova hatchback Custom, bucket seats, auto floor, and sport mirrors. Kim and Judy and one other young lady I cannot remember. Wish this car was closer.
Just wondering I lived in New York.When Sandy hit Howard Beach was under water for a day or 2.Was this car flooded?
If it was a good deal and a 4-speed I would give it some thought
I must be missing something why put a new crate engine in but not pop on a fender and bumper? Maybe more damage than meets the eye?
Money pit not worth it
Am interested in this vehicle how much to purchase it now..Tuesday 9/4/23
Mike, there’s a red link in the beginning of the description that will take you to the current eBay ad. That’ll give you up-to-the-minute info.
Ended August 21st with high bid at $4900 or so.